Judge Finds Man Guilty of Attacks on Teachers

A man who victimized four teachers at two South-Central Los Angeles schools over a one-month period was convicted Tuesday of robbery, kidnapping and rape.

Antwon Marshall, 19, who fled his crimes on a bicycle, faces a possible life sentence for the attacks. Sentencing is set for May 31.

Marshall waived his right to a jury and was tried by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Norman J. Shapiro. The trial lasted nearly a week, and included testimony from four victims.

Shapiro found Marshall guilty of rape, oral copulation, second-degree robbery and kidnapping for an attack on Aug. 20. He also convicted Marshall of robbery, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon for two other incidents in July. Shapiro dismissed a count of second-degree robbery in an alleged fourth incident.

Marshall began his crime spree by robbing his victims, and his behavior escalated until the violent attack Aug. 20, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Sam Dordulian. “He preyed on teachers,” Dordulian said.

Marshall rode up to Barrett Elementary School on his bicycle on July 23 and robbed a teacher at gunpoint, Dordulian said. The next day, he rode his bicycle to 99th Street Elementary School and demanded that a woman go into the women’s bathroom on campus. She refused, and he fled when he saw a police car nearby, prosecutors said.

On Aug. 20, Marshall returned to the 99th Street school about 10:30 a.m. Two women, both new teachers, were setting up their joint classroom and had left the door open. Marshall entered with a gun and demanded money from them. He then sexually assaulted them before taking their money and cell phones, prosecutors said.

As Marshall started to lead his victims to a nearby ATM machine, the women escaped when they saw a few of their colleagues. Marshall fled on his bicycle.

“He told them he was going to kill them,” Dordulian said. “Both victims were terrified and shaken.”

School officials and police did not release any information about the rapes until two days later, prompting criticism from residents in the neighborhood. Police said they did not say anything earlier because they did not want to jeopardize their investigation.